MUSICAL MUSES: Seven Suns Vintage Partners With Midwest Musicians
a new styling series will feature ‘hand-picked favorites’ from country western artists
Seven Suns Vintage continues to celebrate and capture creatives, both “in spirit and in style," with a new styling series focused on musicians from the Midwest.
Savannah Smith, owner of Seven Suns Vintage (305 S Barstow St., Eau Claire) and a musician in the Americana band Turn Turn Turn, has found a fresh approach to highlight the innovative connections between her two passions: music and authentic vintage clothing.
“Music and vintage go hand in hand — I think that plays into the benefit of (the series),” Smith said. “This series is just another way to be creative, show off parts of the store that maybe go unnoticed, and tap into the musical side of my life.”
To begin this series, which highlights musicians and curated clothing from the vintage shop, Smith turned to two of her close friends in the industry — Clare Doyle and Molly Brandt of Saint Paul, Minn. — who both embody elements of the country western music genres.
Since Seven Suns Vintage first opened its doors in 2020, both Doyle and Brandt were seasoned regulars to the downtown Eau Claire shop. For their most recent visits, Smith extended an invitation to Eau Claire-based photographer, Maximillian Menacher, to document the intimate connection between her curated selections and the artists' personal pics from the shop.
Doyle's styling visuals kicked off the multi-part online series and launched in the first week of June. Smith described Doyle's style as a dynamic blend of clean and western, where the ruggedness of the plains meets the smooth '70s dream-girl aesthetics, reminiscent of Doyle's lyrics and melodies.
“I will pick out a few outfits and directions I'm leaning into, when I think of the artist,” Smith said. “Then, I’ll have the artist come early (to the shop) and just go through the racks and see if there’s anything that they are into — that’s when they shine the most.”
Molly Brandt’s behind-the-scenes stylings have been officially released online, with more storytelling to come, Smith added. In contrast to Doyle, Brandt focused on the playful whimsy of retro silhouettes.
From archival prom dresses from the 1950s, to eclectic-patterned rompers from the 1970s with roller skates — both Doyle and Brandt welcomed props as part of the styling series — bringing folks into the world of dive bars and dance halls that inspire Brandt’s songwriting.
“(Molly) just wanted to play, and it was awesome,” Smith said. “She was pulling things off the wall that I never ever would have imagined and (the styling) turned out amazing.”
Menacher not only photographed the stylings but also documented the shopping experience with interviews and narratives between Smith and the artists. Extended video clips from the series will be shared soon, Smith alluded.
“This series is just another way to be creative, show off parts of the store that maybe go unnoticed, and tap into the musical side of my life," - Savannah Smith, owner of Seven Suns Vintage
While both Doyle and Brandt were quick to snatch their favorite clothing items – and intend to wear the pieces during ongoing and future music tours – this series will feature the artists' remaining hand-picked favorites online through the Seven Suns Vintage website. Doyle's signature pick, a 1970s Ms. Pioneer Fringe Jacket, is already available to view.
Moving forward, behind-the-scenes visuals for new artists in this styling series will be shared through social media during the first week of each month, with the styled pieces available to purchase the following week.
Follow Seven Suns Vintage online through Facebook and Instagram (@7SunsVintage) for ongoing releases in this musical styling series. Seven Suns Vintage is located at 305 S Barstow St. in downtown Eau Claire.
